http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/47618 en-us This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/ Religion & Spirituality Praising - Thinking - Praying - Living Applying are actions that add up to Reflecting. What does the word of God mean to me? How do I pray and live into my faith? Many of these questions are asked over and over in the hearts of people on a daily basis. Reflections of the Word are thought provoking readings of praise, prayers, scripture and expressions about who God is and actions that we can take to live into our faith right now. Take a moment to reflect. This Podcast was created using www.talkshoe.com 720 http://www.talkshoe.com/custom/images/icons/TC-47618-MainIcon.jpg http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/47618 100 100 Pastor Jacqui King "Reflections of the Word" Praising - Thinking - Praying - Living Applying are actions that add up to Reflecting. What does the word of God mean to me? How do I pray and live into my faith? Many of these questions are asked over and over in the hearts of people on a daily basis. Reflections of the Word are thought provoking readings of praise, prayers, scripture and expressions about who God is and actions that we can take to live into our faith right now. Take a moment to reflect. This Podcast was created using www.talkshoe.com Pastor Jacqui King pastorjai@nufaith.org clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-239761.mp3 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-239761.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-239761.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE118 - "Faith Heals!" 28:01 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-237526.mp3 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-237526.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-237526.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE117 - "Who is Fighting 4 U" 32:11 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-230118.mp3 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-230118.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-230118.mp3 Mark 4:30-32 (NASB) And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 "It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE." Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE116 - "The Everyday Harvest" Mark 4:30-32 (NASB) And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 "It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE." 29:14 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-232570.mp3 Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-232570.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-232570.mp3 WHAT IS TRINITY SUNDAY? The first Sunday after Pentecost is the Festival of the Holy Trinity. On this day, the church rejoices in the impenetrable mystery that God is triune (three-in-one) -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How the Lord can be one God in three distinct persons is completely beyond the ability of any human to understand. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians accept this incomprehensible mystery as a fundamental article of faith. How God can be one God in three Persons is a mystery. While it is clearly taught in the Bible (for example, in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14), it can never be understood or rationalized -- it can only be accepted by faith. Since faith comes only through the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace, it is appropriate that this glorious mystery is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, the great festival of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE115 - "N2K Say Yes " WHAT IS TRINITY SUNDAY? The first Sunday after Pentecost is the Festival of the Holy Trinity. On this day, the church rejoices in the impenetrable mystery that God is triune (three-in-one) -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How the Lord can be one God in three distinct persons is completely beyond the ability of any human to understand. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians accept this incomprehensible mystery as a fundamental article of faith. How God can be one God in three Persons is a mystery. While it is clearly taught in the Bible (for example, in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14), it can never be understood or rationalized -- it can only be accepted by faith. Since faith comes only through the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace, it is appropriate that this glorious mystery is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, the great festival of the coming of the Holy Spirit. 26:52 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-230117.mp3 Sun, 31 May 2009 16:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-230117.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-230117.mp3 Today, in many Christian churches, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated to recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit, realizing that Godâ??s very life, breath and energy lives in believers. During this service, John 20:19-23 may be the core of the message about our risen Savior supernaturally appearing to the fear-laden disciples. The celebration of Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the reality that we are all have the unifying Spirit that was poured out upon the first century church in Acts 2:1-4. It is a reminder that we are co-heirs with Christ, to suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him; that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7); that we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13); and that the Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead lives inside believers (Romans 8:9-11). This gift of the Holy Spirit that was promised and given to all believers on the first Pentecost is promised for you and your children and for all who are far off whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39). Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE114 - "Grab Hold " Today, in many Christian churches, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated to recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit, realizing that Godâ??s very life, breath and energy lives in believers. During this service, John 20:19-23 may be the core of the message about our risen Savior supernaturally appearing to the fear-laden disciples. The celebration of Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the reality that we are all have the unifying Spirit that was poured out upon the first century church in Acts 2:1-4. It is a reminder that we are co-heirs with Christ, to suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him; that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7); that we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13); and that the Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead lives inside believers (Romans 8:9-11). This gift of the Holy Spirit that was promised and given to all believers on the first Pentecost is promised for you and your children and for all who are far off whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39). 27:23 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-229354.mp3 Thu, 28 May 2009 22:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-229354.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-229354.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE113 - "Reflections 0n Pentecos" 13:51 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-222652.mp3 Sun, 24 May 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-222652.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-222652.mp3 1 John 5:9-13 (The Message) 9-10If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God's testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God's own testimony regarding his Son. 11-12This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. The Reality, Not the Illusion 13-15My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE112 "What a Testimony" 1 John 5:9-13 (The Message) 9-10If we take human testimony at face value, how much more should we be reassured when God gives testimony as he does here, testifying concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God's testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God's own testimony regarding his Son. 11-12This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. The Reality, Not the Illusion 13-15My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours. 24:46 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-225353.mp3 Sun, 17 May 2009 15:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-225353.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-225353.mp3 Psalm 98 1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right. 2 God made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do. 3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israelâ??indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Lookâ??God's work of salvation! 4 Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! 5 Round up an orchestra to play for God, Add on a hundred-voice choir. 6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King God. 7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in. 8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finaleâ?? 9 A tribute to God when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He'll straighten out the whole world, He'll put the world right, and everyone in it. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE111 - "Fill the Spirit" Psalm 98 1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right. 2 God made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do. 3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israelâ??indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Lookâ??God's work of salvation! 4 Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! 5 Round up an orchestra to play for God, Add on a hundred-voice choir. 6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King God. 7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in. 8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finaleâ?? 9 A tribute to God when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He'll straighten out the whole world, He'll put the world right, and everyone in it. 22:53 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214278.mp3 Sun, 10 May 2009 18:22:54 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214278.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214278.mp3 God Is Love 7-10My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is loveâ??so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking aboutâ??not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. 11-12My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in usâ??perfect love! 13-16This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. To Love, to Be Loved 17-18God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Dayâ??our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful lifeâ??fear of death, fear of judgmentâ??is one not yet fully formed in love. 19We, though, are going to loveâ??love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. 20-21If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE110 - "Abiding Love" God Is Love 7-10My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is loveâ??so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking aboutâ??not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. 11-12My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in usâ??perfect love! 13-16This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. To Love, to Be Loved 17-18God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Dayâ??our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful lifeâ??fear of death, fear of judgmentâ??is one not yet fully formed in love. 19We, though, are going to loveâ??love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. 20-21If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both. 36:02 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-220248.mp3 Sun, 03 May 2009 16:30:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-220248.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-220248.mp3 John 10:11-18 (The Message) 11-13"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He's only in it for the money. The sheep don't matter to him. 14-18"I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father." Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE109 "Known & Unknowns" John 10:11-18 (The Message) 11-13"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He's only in it for the money. The sheep don't matter to him. 14-18"I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father." 27:09 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-217944.mp3 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-217944.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-217944.mp3 1 John 3:1-7 (The Message) 1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at itâ??we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. 2-3But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see himâ??and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own. 4-6All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God's order. Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They've got him all backward. 7-8So, my dear children, don't let anyone divert you from the truth. It's the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil's ways. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE108 - "Get It Straight" 1 John 3:1-7 (The Message) 1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at itâ??we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. 2-3But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see himâ??and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own. 4-6All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God's order. Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They've got him all backward. 7-8So, my dear children, don't let anyone divert you from the truth. It's the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil's ways. 25:24 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-215573.mp3 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-215573.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-215573.mp3 Easter: 50 Days & Sundays, too Easter Day is certainly the most important day of the church year. The celebration of Easter begins during the Great Vigil of Easter after nightfall on Holy Saturday, continues through Easter Sunday and into the Easter season, a full 50 days, until Pentecost. The Great 50 Days of Easter are a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate Easter more fully than we can possibly squeeze into a single day. A wonderful part of the richness of Easter to enjoy with children is light and candles. From the first fire, lit before the beginning of the Easter vigil, to the Paschal candle, the altar candles, and our baptismal candles, light is a sign and symbol that can be enjoyed and noticed to lay the groundwork for later intellectual understanding. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE107 - "Is It Real ? " Easter: 50 Days & Sundays, too Easter Day is certainly the most important day of the church year. The celebration of Easter begins during the Great Vigil of Easter after nightfall on Holy Saturday, continues through Easter Sunday and into the Easter season, a full 50 days, until Pentecost. The Great 50 Days of Easter are a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate Easter more fully than we can possibly squeeze into a single day. A wonderful part of the richness of Easter to enjoy with children is light and candles. From the first fire, lit before the beginning of the Easter vigil, to the Paschal candle, the altar candles, and our baptismal candles, light is a sign and symbol that can be enjoyed and noticed to lay the groundwork for later intellectual understanding. 29:36 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214277.mp3 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:00:11 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214277.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214277.mp3 ust as Sunday is the first and the eighth day, so the "great Sunday" of the fifty days of Eastertide/Pentecost begins with the day of the resurrection and continues through eight Sundays, an octave of Sundays, a "week of weeks." It has been suggested that the English expression "Whitsunday" derives from the French huit (eight), Pentecost being le huitième dimanche, the eighth Sunday of Easter. In the Fourth Gospel, the risen Christ imparts the gift of the Spirit on the evening of Easter Day (John 20:19-23). The Spirit is the gift of the risen Christ. And so in the Easter Season, this "Pentecost Season," we listen to the farewell discourses, with their promise of the coming Advocate, as words to us from the risen Christ. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE106 - "50 Days of Easter" ust as Sunday is the first and the eighth day, so the "great Sunday" of the fifty days of Eastertide/Pentecost begins with the day of the resurrection and continues through eight Sundays, an octave of Sundays, a "week of weeks." It has been suggested that the English expression "Whitsunday" derives from the French huit (eight), Pentecost being le huitième dimanche, the eighth Sunday of Easter. In the Fourth Gospel, the risen Christ imparts the gift of the Spirit on the evening of Easter Day (John 20:19-23). The Spirit is the gift of the risen Christ. And so in the Easter Season, this "Pentecost Season," we listen to the farewell discourses, with their promise of the coming Advocate, as words to us from the risen Christ. 14:17 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214274.mp3 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:06:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214274.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-214274.mp3 An Easter Prayer (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer) O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to death on the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection has delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant that we who celebrate with joy the day of our Lordâ??s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection, empowered and transformed by your grace in and among us. O Lord, so stir up in your church, indeed in each of us, that Spirit of adoption and reconciliation that is made possible by your grace revealed in Jesus the Christ, that we being renewed in both body and mind, may worship and serve you in sincerity and truth. We pray this in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE105 - "No Stone Here" An Easter Prayer (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer) O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to death on the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection has delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant that we who celebrate with joy the day of our Lordâ??s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection, empowered and transformed by your grace in and among us. O Lord, so stir up in your church, indeed in each of us, that Spirit of adoption and reconciliation that is made possible by your grace revealed in Jesus the Christ, that we being renewed in both body and mind, may worship and serve you in sincerity and truth. We pray this in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 18:04 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-211549.mp3 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-211549.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-211549.mp3 Good Friday is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It is traditionally the day on which Jesus was crucified. Please see our article that discusses the various views on which day Jesus was crucified. Assuming that Jesus was crucified and died on a Friday, should Christians remember by celebrating Good Friday? The Bible does not instruct Christians to remember ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death by honoring a certain day. The Bible does give us freedom in these matters, however. Romans 14:5 tells us, Ã??Ã?¢??One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.Ã??Ã?¢?? The Bible instructs us to remember ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death by observing the LordÃ??Ã?¢??s Supper. First Corinthians 11:26 declares, Ã??Ã?¢??For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.Ã??Ã?¢?? Why is Good Friday referred to as Ã??Ã?¢??goodÃ??Ã?¢??? What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good (see Matthew chapters 26-27). However, the results of ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death are very good! Romans 5:8, Ã??Ã?¢??But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Ã??Ã?¢?? First Peter 3:18 tells us, Ã??Ã?¢??For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.Ã??Ã?¢?? Many Christian churches celebrate Good Friday with a subdued service, usually in the evening, when ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death is remembered with solemn hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, a message centered on the MessiahÃ??Ã?¢??s suffering for our sakes, and communion. Whether or not Christians choose to Ã??Ã?¢??celebrateÃ??Ã?¢?? Good Friday, the events of that day should be ever on our minds because the death of Christ on the cross is the paramount event of the Christian faith. If you would like to learn more about why Jesus' death on the cross was so Ã??Ã?¢??good,Ã??Ã?¢?? please read the following article: What does it mean to accept Jesus as your personal Savior? Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE104- "Good Friday to Resurrection 2009" Good Friday is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It is traditionally the day on which Jesus was crucified. Please see our article that discusses the various views on which day Jesus was crucified. Assuming that Jesus was crucified and died on a Friday, should Christians remember by celebrating Good Friday? The Bible does not instruct Christians to remember ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death by honoring a certain day. The Bible does give us freedom in these matters, however. Romans 14:5 tells us, Ã??Ã?¢??One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.Ã??Ã?¢?? The Bible instructs us to remember ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death by observing the LordÃ??Ã?¢??s Supper. First Corinthians 11:26 declares, Ã??Ã?¢??For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.Ã??Ã?¢?? Why is Good Friday referred to as Ã??Ã?¢??goodÃ??Ã?¢??? What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good (see Matthew chapters 26-27). However, the results of ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death are very good! Romans 5:8, Ã??Ã?¢??But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Ã??Ã?¢?? First Peter 3:18 tells us, Ã??Ã?¢??For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.Ã??Ã?¢?? Many Christian churches celebrate Good Friday with a subdued service, usually in the evening, when ChristÃ??Ã?¢??s death is remembered with solemn hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, a message centered on the MessiahÃ??Ã?¢??s suffering for our sakes, and communion. Whether or not Christians choose to Ã??Ã?¢??celebrateÃ??Ã?¢?? Good Friday, the events of that day should be ever on our minds because the death of Christ on the cross is the paramount event of the Christian faith. If you would like to learn more about why Jesus' death on the cross was so Ã??Ã?¢??good,Ã??Ã?¢?? please read the following article: What does it mean to accept Jesus as your personal Savior? 14:28 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-210218.mp3 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-210218.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-210218.mp3 This was a strange procession. A guy on a donkey. (No doubt the scoffers likened him to that poor animal.) Tagging along with him were a bunch of fishermen, rural herdsmen, and even (shudder) a taxman. A crowd, mostly of just plain folks, got into it. They'd apparently heard about this Jesus of Galilee (v. 11), and had a high regard for him. Maybe this was the man who'd save them from the hands of the Roman conquerors. Maybe this was the man who'd save them from the effects of a chasm that set the keepers of the religious-system Temple apart from the ordinary Jew. Maybe this was the man who'd save them from their own frustration and loss of hope in the God who chose them. So they laid palm branches before him as he went in, and cried out to their (potential) hero, "Save us!" And His first deeds took him along that course just fine, too. He goes to the Temple grounds, to the money changers and the salesmen. It was a real need within a sacrificial system to have ritually-clean animals available to those whose raw poverty or citified lifestyle let them have none of their own. But what happened is the same thing that always happens when the customer is powerless to argue: not only does the price go up, but a system is created to extract much more through the exchange of currency. Jesus struck at this about as directly as he could. Then, Jesus did the sort of thing He had always done: He went around the Temple area preaching and healing the sick. (They must've gathered there desperately in the belief that the God who lived in the Temple might heal them.) And children came out, continuing to call on the heroic descendant of David, "Save us! Save us!" They all had been without hope for so long. If they only knew just how big a task it would be to save them. Or how far God would go to make it happen. The cries of praise would give way to the call for blood, and it would be shed. But not just yet. It was time to celebrate what could be. Father, you have indeed heard the cries of your people, and answered them in an unexpected way. Help us to bear witness to what you have done. Amen. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE103- "Palm Sunday Sermon" This was a strange procession. A guy on a donkey. (No doubt the scoffers likened him to that poor animal.) Tagging along with him were a bunch of fishermen, rural herdsmen, and even (shudder) a taxman. A crowd, mostly of just plain folks, got into it. They'd apparently heard about this Jesus of Galilee (v. 11), and had a high regard for him. Maybe this was the man who'd save them from the hands of the Roman conquerors. Maybe this was the man who'd save them from the effects of a chasm that set the keepers of the religious-system Temple apart from the ordinary Jew. Maybe this was the man who'd save them from their own frustration and loss of hope in the God who chose them. So they laid palm branches before him as he went in, and cried out to their (potential) hero, "Save us!" And His first deeds took him along that course just fine, too. He goes to the Temple grounds, to the money changers and the salesmen. It was a real need within a sacrificial system to have ritually-clean animals available to those whose raw poverty or citified lifestyle let them have none of their own. But what happened is the same thing that always happens when the customer is powerless to argue: not only does the price go up, but a system is created to extract much more through the exchange of currency. Jesus struck at this about as directly as he could. Then, Jesus did the sort of thing He had always done: He went around the Temple area preaching and healing the sick. (They must've gathered there desperately in the belief that the God who lived in the Temple might heal them.) And children came out, continuing to call on the heroic descendant of David, "Save us! Save us!" They all had been without hope for so long. If they only knew just how big a task it would be to save them. Or how far God would go to make it happen. The cries of praise would give way to the call for blood, and it would be shed. But not just yet. It was time to celebrate what could be. Father, you have indeed heard the cries of your people, and answered them in an unexpected way. Help us to bear witness to what you have done. Amen. 30:51 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-203287.mp3 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-203287.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-203287.mp3 John 12:23-32 (The Message) 22-23Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, "Time's up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24-25"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. 26"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me. 27-28"Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? No, this is why I came in the first place. I'll say, 'Father, put your glory on display.'" A voice came out of the sky: "I have glorified it, and I'll glorify it again." 29The listening crowd said, "Thunder!" Others said, "An angel spoke to him!" 30-33Jesus said, "The voice didn't come for me but for you. At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me." He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE102 - " Be Fruitful: New Giving " John 12:23-32 (The Message) 22-23Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, "Time's up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24-25"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. 26"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me. 27-28"Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? No, this is why I came in the first place. I'll say, 'Father, put your glory on display.'" A voice came out of the sky: "I have glorified it, and I'll glorify it again." 29The listening crowd said, "Thunder!" Others said, "An angel spoke to him!" 30-33Jesus said, "The voice didn't come for me but for you. At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me." He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death. 35:26 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-205699.mp3 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-205699.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-205699.mp3 John 3:14-21 (The Message) 13-15"No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted upâ??and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life. 16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE101 - "Be Fruitful: Serving Well" John 3:14-21 (The Message) 13-15"No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted upâ??and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life. 16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. 32:26 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198080.mp3 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198080.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198080.mp3 John 2:15-17 (The Message Bible) Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me." Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE100 -"Be Fruitful: Spring Cleaning" John 2:15-17 (The Message Bible) Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me." 33:30 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198079.mp3 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198079.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198079.mp3 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. 32-33But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." 34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? 38"If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels." Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE99 -"Be Fruitful: Live to Worship" Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. 32-33But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." 34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? 38"If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels." 35:43 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198078.mp3 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198078.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-198078.mp3 In Genesis 9, God is blessing Noah and his sons, after the flood. At several points, it doesn't sound all that much like a blessing (for instance, in v. 5, God tells them they and the animals will all eventually die). But then, God does something striking: the God of All, the Flood-Maker, the Flood-Remover, is now bound to fragile, small, perishable beings. (This is called a 'covenant', a sort of contract, only, this is one that's declared unilaterally.) The God of the Flood is promising that the earth as a whole and all its creatures, including Noah and his descendents, will never again be destroyed by flood. And the sign of this daring act of solidarity is the rainbow -- the colors that signal the end of the storm, the start of the sunlight. The rainbow is the beautiful natural sign of the arrival of what is hoped for. That was just step 1 in the Creator's promises to the created. More kept being added -- more covenants, with Jacob and David. However, none of these covenants by themselves did much to treat the long-term illness. That took the ultimate act of loving solidarity: God living as a human being. Going through a creaturely life. And going through death, from other creaturely hands. The start of this was to be born. Then, to live out the divine, Spirit-powered mission. A mission that began when John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Indeed, the mission led to death, but then to life again, leading to a covenant that those who follow Jesus would find that when the storm of life itself is over, there is a new day at the end of the rainbow. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE98 - "Be Fruitful: God's Radical Promise" In Genesis 9, God is blessing Noah and his sons, after the flood. At several points, it doesn't sound all that much like a blessing (for instance, in v. 5, God tells them they and the animals will all eventually die). But then, God does something striking: the God of All, the Flood-Maker, the Flood-Remover, is now bound to fragile, small, perishable beings. (This is called a 'covenant', a sort of contract, only, this is one that's declared unilaterally.) The God of the Flood is promising that the earth as a whole and all its creatures, including Noah and his descendents, will never again be destroyed by flood. And the sign of this daring act of solidarity is the rainbow -- the colors that signal the end of the storm, the start of the sunlight. The rainbow is the beautiful natural sign of the arrival of what is hoped for. That was just step 1 in the Creator's promises to the created. More kept being added -- more covenants, with Jacob and David. However, none of these covenants by themselves did much to treat the long-term illness. That took the ultimate act of loving solidarity: God living as a human being. Going through a creaturely life. And going through death, from other creaturely hands. The start of this was to be born. Then, to live out the divine, Spirit-powered mission. A mission that began when John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Indeed, the mission led to death, but then to life again, leading to a covenant that those who follow Jesus would find that when the storm of life itself is over, there is a new day at the end of the rainbow. 31:10 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-191264.mp3 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-191264.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-191264.mp3 One: God will raise up a prophet, when God needs a courageous word spoken. Like Moses, Richard Allen, Rosa Parks and Alejo Hernandez Many: God will raise up for us a prophet from among us. Like caring coaches, praying teachers, supportive parents, and attentive students. New prophets are being raised up by God! One: God will raise up a prophet to speak God's word to us. God is calling us to listen for truth and live into that Word by faith. Many: Anyone who doesn't listen will have to deal with God. For God will raise up a prophet to speak in our world today. Is it you? Is it me? Raise up the prophet in us to speak truth and worship the Lord thy God! One: We come to worship our Lord who is almighty and worthy to be praised! So let us embrace the Spirit of the Lord as we praise Jesus who lives in us this day. The praise begins now as we celebrate this day that the Lord has made! Let us share GodÃ?¢??s love as we greet one another right now! Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE97 - " Divine Timing: Run Your Race" One: God will raise up a prophet, when God needs a courageous word spoken. Like Moses, Richard Allen, Rosa Parks and Alejo Hernandez Many: God will raise up for us a prophet from among us. Like caring coaches, praying teachers, supportive parents, and attentive students. New prophets are being raised up by God! One: God will raise up a prophet to speak God's word to us. God is calling us to listen for truth and live into that Word by faith. Many: Anyone who doesn't listen will have to deal with God. For God will raise up a prophet to speak in our world today. Is it you? Is it me? Raise up the prophet in us to speak truth and worship the Lord thy God! One: We come to worship our Lord who is almighty and worthy to be praised! So let us embrace the Spirit of the Lord as we praise Jesus who lives in us this day. The praise begins now as we celebrate this day that the Lord has made! Let us share GodÃ?¢??s love as we greet one another right now! 19:22 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-191263.mp3 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-191263.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-191263.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE96 - "Divine Timing Get Things Straight" 37:03 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-188068.mp3 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-188068.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-188068.mp3 Deut. 18: 15-20 and I Cor. 8: 1-3 We are open and our spirits are willing to receive your grace. Help us to let go of all that holds us down and holds us back from your love. Creator of all people around the world, please journey with us now into the places where we live. Let us be a blessing to every path we may cross, and bring us back together when the time is right. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE95 - "Divine Timing: Live Our Truth" Deut. 18: 15-20 and I Cor. 8: 1-3 We are open and our spirits are willing to receive your grace. Help us to let go of all that holds us down and holds us back from your love. Creator of all people around the world, please journey with us now into the places where we live. Let us be a blessing to every path we may cross, and bring us back together when the time is right. 31:46 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-185503.mp3 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-185503.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-185503.mp3 God gave Jonah, a reluctant prophet, a commandment to deliver a message to the wicked people of Ninevah. The very mention of the city of Ninevah, which was the capital of Assyria at the time, would have filled people in Jonah's time with terror, because their memories of the city were filled with bitterness and tyranny. In other words, there were some seedy sinners there. They were into all sorts of bad stuff, like killing, stealing, prostitution, gambling, and so on. Therefore, Jonah couldn't quite get up the nerve to go to Ninevah. Instead, he boarded a ship headed in the exact opposite direction, toward the town of Tarshish. When this boat went to sea, the Lord sent a big storm with high winds, which was threatening to break the boat up into a thousand tiny pieces and kill everyone on board, even those sailors who didn't even know why the Lord had sent the storm. Eventually, they figured out that the storm was happening because of Jonah and his disobedience to a commandment of the Lord. "What have you done to us?" they asked him. Jonah told them he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord. The sailors demanded to know what they should do to Jonah so that God would calm the raging sea and spare their lives. Jonah told them they would have to throw him overboard, "for I know it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you." The sailors weren't exactly thrilled that Jonah wanted them to throw him overboard, because in this storm, they knew it would result in his death. They didn't want to be responsible for the death of another man. Therefore, they tried to row the boat back to shore, but the sea was just too violent. In the end, they had no choice but to throw Jonah overboard, which made the storm end. Man Overboard! Fortunately, the Lord provided a large fish (some people think it was a whale), which swallowed Jonah, who remained safe in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. While he was in the belly of the whale, Jonah gave thanks to God: "As my life was fading away, I remembered you, O Lord. My prayer came to you in your holy temple, and with a voice of thanksgiving, I will make sacrifices to you. I will do exactly what I have promised," Jonah cried out. Then the Lord spoke to the fish, which promptly deposited Jonah on dry land. His life was spared, so the Lord talked to him for a second time. This time, Jonah got up and went to Ninevah, as the Lord had asked. A Second Chance to Deliver the Message When Jonah got to Ninevah, he delivered the message from God, a message that eventually made it to the king's palace. When the king heard that the Lord was planning to destroy Ninevah because of their evil and wickedness, he proclaimed that everyone in the city should not eat or drink anything, including water. "Who knows?" the king cried out to his people. "Maybe God will change his mind and spare us, if we show him that we can change our evil ways and love him instead of all these false gods we have been worshiping all this time." The question is: Would God spare the lives of the people, as he had spared the life of Jonah by sending the whale? The Result of Turning to God After Disobeying Him The answer was "yes." God changed his mind, because he saw how the people had listened to Jonah and changed their evil ways into lives of love and worshiping God. Jonah, however, who always knew the people of Ninevah were evil, was very disappointed that God let them off the hook. "They were sinning all these years and then, one time, the king makes them fast and you spare their lives!" he protested. "I mean, I always knew you were a gracious God, full of mercy and steadfast love," he continued in his prayer. "That's why I went to Tarshish instead of Ninevah in the first place. But Lord, it just isn't fair! I think you should punish me now, instead of showing me mercy for not listening to you in the first place. Take me now, because I would rather die than live in the disgrace of having disobeyed you. "And I can't believe you didn't kill the people of Ninevah! They have been bad people for so long, and you basically let them get away with it!" Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE94 - "Get Going" God gave Jonah, a reluctant prophet, a commandment to deliver a message to the wicked people of Ninevah. The very mention of the city of Ninevah, which was the capital of Assyria at the time, would have filled people in Jonah's time with terror, because their memories of the city were filled with bitterness and tyranny. In other words, there were some seedy sinners there. They were into all sorts of bad stuff, like killing, stealing, prostitution, gambling, and so on. Therefore, Jonah couldn't quite get up the nerve to go to Ninevah. Instead, he boarded a ship headed in the exact opposite direction, toward the town of Tarshish. When this boat went to sea, the Lord sent a big storm with high winds, which was threatening to break the boat up into a thousand tiny pieces and kill everyone on board, even those sailors who didn't even know why the Lord had sent the storm. Eventually, they figured out that the storm was happening because of Jonah and his disobedience to a commandment of the Lord. "What have you done to us?" they asked him. Jonah told them he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord. The sailors demanded to know what they should do to Jonah so that God would calm the raging sea and spare their lives. Jonah told them they would have to throw him overboard, "for I know it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you." The sailors weren't exactly thrilled that Jonah wanted them to throw him overboard, because in this storm, they knew it would result in his death. They didn't want to be responsible for the death of another man. Therefore, they tried to row the boat back to shore, but the sea was just too violent. In the end, they had no choice but to throw Jonah overboard, which made the storm end. Man Overboard! Fortunately, the Lord provided a large fish (some people think it was a whale), which swallowed Jonah, who remained safe in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. While he was in the belly of the whale, Jonah gave thanks to God: "As my life was fading away, I remembered you, O Lord. My prayer came to you in your holy temple, and with a voice of thanksgiving, I will make sacrifices to you. I will do exactly what I have promised," Jonah cried out. Then the Lord spoke to the fish, which promptly deposited Jonah on dry land. His life was spared, so the Lord talked to him for a second time. This time, Jonah got up and went to Ninevah, as the Lord had asked. A Second Chance to Deliver the Message When Jonah got to Ninevah, he delivered the message from God, a message that eventually made it to the king's palace. When the king heard that the Lord was planning to destroy Ninevah because of their evil and wickedness, he proclaimed that everyone in the city should not eat or drink anything, including water. "Who knows?" the king cried out to his people. "Maybe God will change his mind and spare us, if we show him that we can change our evil ways and love him instead of all these false gods we have been worshiping all this time." The question is: Would God spare the lives of the people, as he had spared the life of Jonah by sending the whale? The Result of Turning to God After Disobeying Him The answer was "yes." God changed his mind, because he saw how the people had listened to Jonah and changed their evil ways into lives of love and worshiping God. Jonah, however, who always knew the people of Ninevah were evil, was very disappointed that God let them off the hook. "They were sinning all these years and then, one time, the king makes them fast and you spare their lives!" he protested. "I mean, I always knew you were a gracious God, full of mercy and steadfast love," he continued in his prayer. "That's why I went to Tarshish instead of Ninevah in the first place. But Lord, it just isn't fair! I think you should punish me now, instead of showing me mercy for not listening to you in the first place. Take me now, because I would rather die than live in the disgrace of having disobeyed you. "And I can't believe you didn't kill the people of Ninevah! They have been bad people for so long, and you basically let them get away with it!" 28:10 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-182988.mp3 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-182988.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-182988.mp3 1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. 2 And it happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, 4 that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, â??Here I am.â?? 5 Then he ran to Eli and said, â??Here I am, for you called me.â?? But he said, â??I did not call, lie down again.â?? So he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called yet again, â??Samuel!â?? So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, â??Here I am, for you called me.â?? But he answered, â??I did not call, my son, lie down again.â?? 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. 8 So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, â??Here I am, for you called me.â?? Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 And Eli said to Samuel, â??Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for Thy servant is listening.'â?? So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, â??Samuel! Samuel!â?? And Samuel said, â??Speak, for Thy servant is listening.â?? 11 And the LORD said to Samuel, â??Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE93 - "Called for Change" 1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. 2 And it happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, 4 that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, â??Here I am.â?? 5 Then he ran to Eli and said, â??Here I am, for you called me.â?? But he said, â??I did not call, lie down again.â?? So he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called yet again, â??Samuel!â?? So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, â??Here I am, for you called me.â?? But he answered, â??I did not call, my son, lie down again.â?? 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. 8 So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, â??Here I am, for you called me.â?? Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 And Eli said to Samuel, â??Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for Thy servant is listening.'â?? So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, â??Samuel! Samuel!â?? And Samuel said, â??Speak, for Thy servant is listening.â?? 11 And the LORD said to Samuel, â??Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 27:31 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-178108.mp3 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-178108.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-178108.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE92- "Speak New Life" 29:10 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-180593.mp3 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-180593.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-180593.mp3 Remember Your Baptism -tmp(Rom 6:1-11) Romans 6 illustrates a mind-boggling reality with a simple picture. While dealing with the difficulty of our sinful natures Paul makes us look to something that is known to all believers-the baptism by water. His purpose, though, does not remain in the symbol but stretches into the infinite wisdom and love of God that would bestow on sinners the mercy and love they did not deserve. We can, thankfully, look at this portion to provoke a fire in our own thinking no matter how long we" been in Christ. Some of us may have the vaguest recollection of our baptism while others may still be wet behind the ears from the event. Some of us may have carried out the command without understanding but in sheer obedience to our Lord while some of us entered the baptismal waters with our heads filled with explanatory verses. As believers we all should've we gone through it and it bears remembering. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE91 - "Remember your Baptism" Remember Your Baptism -tmp(Rom 6:1-11) Romans 6 illustrates a mind-boggling reality with a simple picture. While dealing with the difficulty of our sinful natures Paul makes us look to something that is known to all believers-the baptism by water. His purpose, though, does not remain in the symbol but stretches into the infinite wisdom and love of God that would bestow on sinners the mercy and love they did not deserve. We can, thankfully, look at this portion to provoke a fire in our own thinking no matter how long we" been in Christ. Some of us may have the vaguest recollection of our baptism while others may still be wet behind the ears from the event. Some of us may have carried out the command without understanding but in sheer obedience to our Lord while some of us entered the baptismal waters with our heads filled with explanatory verses. As believers we all should've we gone through it and it bears remembering. 04:55 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-177244.mp3 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:04:02 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-177244.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-177244.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE90 -"AH...A New Way" 31:00 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-176278.mp3 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-176278.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-176278.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE89 - "Praise God @ All Times" 36:19 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-175103.mp3 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-175103.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-175103.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE88 - "Sharing Jesus" 31:05 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-173200.mp3 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-173200.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-173200.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE87 - "Following Jesus" 32:08 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-170902.mp3 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-170902.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-170902.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE86 - "Preparing 4 Jesus" 31:25 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-168773.mp3 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-168773.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-168773.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE85 - "Waiting for Jesus" 32:54 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-165785.mp3 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-165785.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-165785.mp3 Parable of the Last Judgment Matthew 25:31-46 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE84 - "Give Thanks" Parable of the Last Judgment Matthew 25:31-46 25:46 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-165214.mp3 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-165214.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-165214.mp3 "What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents?" Answer: Matthew, in Chapters 24-25, records the Lordâ??s heart of compassion and love mingled with unwavering holiness. This section of Scripture, including the Parable of the Talents, constitutes final warnings, prophecies, and encouragements to His people Israel prior to His departure. He, who is their Lord, is leaving for an undisclosed period of time. He is delegating to them the responsibility, as stewards, to care for His kingdom. The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, impresses on them the weight of that responsibility and the serious consequences of neglecting to understand and apply His instructions. There is also a message to all mankind. If the talents are talents of gold, the value of what the master entrusted to the stewards would be immensely high, in the millions of dollars. Since the Lord uses only the term "talents" we must make some assumptions, but is seems reasonable to assume that the owner of the talents, the man traveling into a far country, was a wealthy man. He is entrusting his wealth to three men who become stewards of his money. One receives five talents. Another receives two talents. A third steward receives one talent. Each is given a significant amount of money. These are stewards entrusted with the care of the money. The stewards must know the personality and character of their Lord. He expects them to know Him well enough to apply the spirit as well as the letter of His instructions. Those that do are richly rewarded. The others receive severe judgment. The amount given is based on each stewardâ??s ability. The first two understand the spirit and letter of instructions and the character of their Lord. They both use the resources by "trading" to gain a profit. Each of them makes a 100% profit. Fear and mistrust of his Lord motivate the third steward. He buries the money in the earth and returns the original amount. The profitable stewards are praised, given increased responsibilities and invited to enter into the joy of their Lord. The untrusting steward is scolded, rejected, and punished. The application of this parable must be understood within the context of the message of Matthew 24-25. It is first a message to the people of Israel that will live in the last days before the Lord returns. The statement, in Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" is a key statement. This is the believing remnant that will receive the promise of the kingdom. In Matthew 24:32-34, the Lord stated, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." These will be alive when He returns and will have understood and believed their Lord. The application to the people of Israel is graphic and relevant. Those that believe Him will be rewarded in His kingdom. The basis of the reward will be their stewardship of His resources entrusted to them. Those who fear and do not believe will be rejected and judged. There is also a universal application to all mankind. From the time of the creation of mankind, each individual has been entrusted with resources of time and material wealth. Everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. We are responsible for using those resources so that they increase in value. As Christians, we have additionally the most valuable resource of all â?? the Word of God. If we believe and understand Him, and apply His Word as good stewards, we are a blessing to others and the value of what we do multiplies. We are accountable to the Lord for the use of His resources. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE83- "Great Returns" "What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents?" Answer: Matthew, in Chapters 24-25, records the Lordâ??s heart of compassion and love mingled with unwavering holiness. This section of Scripture, including the Parable of the Talents, constitutes final warnings, prophecies, and encouragements to His people Israel prior to His departure. He, who is their Lord, is leaving for an undisclosed period of time. He is delegating to them the responsibility, as stewards, to care for His kingdom. The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, impresses on them the weight of that responsibility and the serious consequences of neglecting to understand and apply His instructions. There is also a message to all mankind. If the talents are talents of gold, the value of what the master entrusted to the stewards would be immensely high, in the millions of dollars. Since the Lord uses only the term "talents" we must make some assumptions, but is seems reasonable to assume that the owner of the talents, the man traveling into a far country, was a wealthy man. He is entrusting his wealth to three men who become stewards of his money. One receives five talents. Another receives two talents. A third steward receives one talent. Each is given a significant amount of money. These are stewards entrusted with the care of the money. The stewards must know the personality and character of their Lord. He expects them to know Him well enough to apply the spirit as well as the letter of His instructions. Those that do are richly rewarded. The others receive severe judgment. The amount given is based on each stewardâ??s ability. The first two understand the spirit and letter of instructions and the character of their Lord. They both use the resources by "trading" to gain a profit. Each of them makes a 100% profit. Fear and mistrust of his Lord motivate the third steward. He buries the money in the earth and returns the original amount. The profitable stewards are praised, given increased responsibilities and invited to enter into the joy of their Lord. The untrusting steward is scolded, rejected, and punished. The application of this parable must be understood within the context of the message of Matthew 24-25. It is first a message to the people of Israel that will live in the last days before the Lord returns. The statement, in Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" is a key statement. This is the believing remnant that will receive the promise of the kingdom. In Matthew 24:32-34, the Lord stated, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." These will be alive when He returns and will have understood and believed their Lord. The application to the people of Israel is graphic and relevant. Those that believe Him will be rewarded in His kingdom. The basis of the reward will be their stewardship of His resources entrusted to them. Those who fear and do not believe will be rejected and judged. There is also a universal application to all mankind. From the time of the creation of mankind, each individual has been entrusted with resources of time and material wealth. Everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. We are responsible for using those resources so that they increase in value. As Christians, we have additionally the most valuable resource of all â?? the Word of God. If we believe and understand Him, and apply His Word as good stewards, we are a blessing to others and the value of what we do multiplies. We are accountable to the Lord for the use of His resources. 22:54 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-161782.mp3 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-161782.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-161782.mp3 Matthew 25:1-13 Now the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, "Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him." Then all these virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Now the foolish said to the prudent, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the prudent answered saying, "No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves." Now while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, "Lord, Lord, open up for us." But he answered them and said, "Truly I say to you, I do not know you." Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE82 - " Right Timing" Matthew 25:1-13 Now the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, "Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him." Then all these virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Now the foolish said to the prudent, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the prudent answered saying, "No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves." Now while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, "Lord, Lord, open up for us." But he answered them and said, "Truly I say to you, I do not know you." Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. 30:06 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-161783.mp3 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:00:00 -0800 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-161783.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-161783.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE81 - Embracing Everyday Saints 29:11 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-157301.mp3 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-157301.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-157301.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE80- "Reflections of the Word" 29:02 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-155536.mp3 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-155536.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-155536.mp3 Religion & Spirituality Pastor Jacqui King EPISODE79 - "Who Do You Worship"-Get it Straight" 26:16 clean Pastor Jacqui King ,nu faith community,Afro American,United Methodist Church,black sermon,black,Houston TX,UMC,holy spirit, God, Jesus Christ,sermons, payer, woman, black church,lectionary,reflection, http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-155530.mp3 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0700 pastorjai@nufaith.org http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-155530.mp3 http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-47618/TS-155530.mp3 To begin, letâ??s take a look at the setting and circumstances where-in the Parable of the Wedding Feast is given: The land is being occupied by the Romans, who had permitted the Jews to keep their religion and way of life. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Elders were still in authority over the people, but under the direction and answerable to their Roman conquerors. These leaders wished for the Messiah to come and rid them of their Roman oppressors, but they expected a powerful warrior king to save them from Roman o